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Former Brazilian footballer Dani Alves was released from prison after paying the €1 million ($1.08 million) bail required while he awaits the outcome of an appeal to his rape conviction, confirmed Spanish courts yesterday.
Alves was sentenced to 4½ years in prison on February 22 after Catalonia’s top court found him guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in a Barcelona nightclub in 2022.
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He was granted bail on Wednesday but remained in prison for the rest of the week after failing to come up with the money in time.
Accompanied by his lawyer, Alves left the Brians 2 prison northwest of Barcelona shortly before 4:30 p.m. local time wearing a gray jacket over a white turtleneck, according to a Reuters videographer.
Sources informed ESPN last week that Alves was exploring various options to raise the €1 million, including releasing some of his assets and requesting money owed to him by the Spanish tax agency.
Spanish news agency EFE, citing judicial sources, reported that Alves made the payment on Friday. On Monday, the court confirmed receipt of Alves’ bail payment and stated that he was expected to be released within hours.
For Alves to be released, he must surrender his Brazilian and Spanish passports, post bail, and is forbidden from leaving the country.
He still maintains a residence near Barcelona. Additionally, Alves is prohibited from coming within 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) of the victim or attempting to communicate with her.
He is also required to check in at the courthouse weekly. The decision to grant Alves bail pending the outcome of his appeal sparked criticism, with the victim’s lawyer, Ester García, describing it as a “scandalous” decision.
